Arab News Japan

TOKYO: A group of atomic bomb victims has requested Hiroshima City not to invite representatives of Israel to the annual Peace Memorial Ceremony to be held on August 6.

Local media quoted MINOMAKI Tomoyuki, Chairman of the Hiroshima Prefectural Atomic Bomb Victims Association, as saying: “I want Hiroshima City to change its mind about inviting Israel on August 6, the day of the atomic bombing and our day of remembrance. It’s just too terrible.”

Hiroshima City has invited Israel to the ceremony because it said it invites “all countries to the Peace Memorial Ceremony,” despite Israel’s continued attacks on the Gaza Strip. In contrast, Hiroshima City has not invited representatives from Russia or Belarus. 

Chairman Minomaki pointed out that last week, the Israeli military bombed a school in the Gaza Strip, resulting in many casualties. “I am filled with anger toward Israel, which has caused so much damage,” he said. “If Russia and Belarus are not invited, Israel should not be invited to the ceremony either.”

He has requested that the invitation to Israel be canceled.

Despite receiving over 1,600 e-mails and faxes from within and outside Japan protesting the invitation to Israel and a letter from the Victims Association, Hiroshima Mayor MATSUI Kazumi has not indicated any intention to withdraw the invitation. 

Arab diplomatic sources in Tokyo have expressed disappointment at Hiroshima city’s strong insistence on inviting Israel to the ceremony while deciding not to invite a representative from Palestine. 

The source told Arab News Japan that Hiroshima seems to be prioritizing political alliances over its historic mission to lead a global movement against nuclear weapons. The source criticized the city and its mayor for seemingly siding with a political alliance that avoids criticizing Israel for its genocide against the Palestinians.